Cocoa sector not collapsing – COCOBOD rejects Mahama’s claims
The Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) has refuted former President John Dramani Mahama’s claim that Ghana’s cocoa sector has collapsed.
Former president Mahama while addressing party supporters and branch executives in the Western North Region on a campaign tour on Tuesday, April 25 said the cocoa sector is on the verge of collapse under Akufo-Addo’s government.
But COCOBOD in an April 27 statement refuted the claims saying they are misleading and detrimental to a vital sector like cocoa.
“Such statements are misleading and detrimental to a vital sector like cocoa, which forms the foundation of Ghana’s economy. We, therefore, wish to use the opportunity to make some clarifications and also set the records straight.”
“It is widely acknowledged that Galamsey operations pose a significant danger to our nation, and any attempts to justify or rationalise the conversion of a piece of land, especially a cocoa farm, into a Galamsey site, like the Former President sought to do, must be met with contempt.”
COCOBOD also stated that the producer price, which is largely determined by international market prices and industry costs, is fair to farmers even when international market conditions are unfavorable.
The board has also highlighted that Ghana recorded its highest ever cocoa production volume in the 2020/21 crop season, and continues to invest in programs such as the Hand Pollination, Mass Pruning, and Cocoa Rehabilitation programs to sustain and grow the industry.
“We further wish to put on record and also assure the general public that the cocoa industry is not collapsing as being portrayed by the Former President. Ghana recorded its highest ever cocoa production volume of one million and forty-five thousand five hundred metric tonnes (1,045,500) in the 2020/21 Crop Season. A cocoa industry which holds the position as the second highest producer in the world cannot also be said to have collapsed.
“COCOBOD continues to invest in interventions which will ensure not just the sustenance but the growth of the industry. Notably, the Hand Pollination Programme that increases pod count; the Mass Pruning Programme to enhance pests and disease control and induce flowering as well as the Cocoa Rehabilitation Programme which seeks to deal with the Cocoa Swollen Shoot virus disease that has ravaged about 45% of our cocoa tree stock. This is the biggest intervention that has ever been made to reverse the major threats that face the industry.
Additionally, COCOBOD is enrolling cocoa farmers in the Cocoa Farmers Pension Scheme (CFPS) to ensure a decent retirement, and remains committed to supporting farmers and achieving its goals.
“COCOBOD remains committed to supporting farmers and ensuring the sustainability of the cocoa industry, and we will continue to work closely with our stakeholders to achieve our goals. We call on the general public to support our efforts,” it added.
Source: Ghana Business
